THE Scarlets will have their own personal insight into the Dragons camp ahead of tonight’s Welsh derby in Llanelli.

Danny Wilson spent two seasons at Rodney Parade before switching to the forwards coach role at Parc y Scarlets in the summer.

Wilson enhanced his growing reputation in the summer by guiding Wales Under-20s to third place in the Junior World Cup including a famous group victory over New Zealand.

Following this triumph Wilson has turned his attention to guiding the Scarlets forwards and has been waiting for this reunion with his former employers.

“I had some good and bad times there and am looking forward to the game and catching up with some guys after the game,” said Wilson.

“It works both ways. The Dragons staff and players will now how I do things and if there are similarities they will be looking for those.

“Likewise, I probably know quite a bit of how the Dragons would like to play and where their strengths and possible weaknesses will be.”

Wilson will not have to contend with trying to nullify Dan Lydiate after the Welsh flanker broke his ankle last weekend and ruled him out of until late February.

“It is a blow for the Dragons and Wales,” admitted Wilson.

“Dan is a talisman down there, he leads from example and a big part of the Dragons ethos. He is a huge player for them. Having said that they have players coming in who I know will give 110 per cent to the cause and provide the same physicality.”

And Wilson knows the Dragons still have Lydiate’s Grand Slam colleague Toby Faletau to contend with after the Wales No.8 produced a powerful performance in the 32-12 victory over Edinburgh last Friday.

“He is an important player, who gives them go forward,” added Wilson.

“Toby is a game-breaker.

“We need to be keyed in as to where he will turn up in their phase play and where he will like to carry and cause us problems. He is someone we need to keep an eye on, but it is about preparing against the whole team.

“There are a number of threats and we have been working hard on our game and dealing with the Dragons game and come Friday night we will be ready to go out and perform.”

Wilson believes his back-row trio of Josh Turnbull, captain Rob McCusker and Aaron Shingler, who also have ambitions of replacing Lydiate in the Welsh back-row, can handle Faletau.

“There is a lot of back-row depth here at the Scarlets and a lot of quality and ultimately that quality will be viewed by the Welsh selectors,” added Wilson.

“I am in no doubt about that. Those guys are performing well, working hard in training and I am sure they will put their hand up for selection.”

The Scarlets opened the season with three wins and 14 tries but have suffered double disappointment with defeats against the Ospreys and Treviso.

Simon Easterby’s side are also looking to make amends in front of their own fans following the defeat against their arch rivals in their last Welsh derby in Llanelli just two weeks ago.

“A victory on Friday is crucial,” admitted Wilson.

“Derby game at home is about winning, especially with the passionate support we have here at the Scarlets.

“I know the players and the staff feel we didn’t deliver in the last derby against the Ospreys in front of a packed house.

“As a minimum, we expect a performance and an attitude that I know those players are hungry to bring.

“There is a demand from those guys in training, they are running that themselves.

“They were hurting from the Ospreys game as much anyone and I know they will be keen to put that right against the Dragons.

“It is a derby and we have seen before in derbies, a lot of the prep comes down to who wants it the most and that hunger and passion on the day.

“This was something we didn’t deliver against the Ospreys and something we need to deliver against the Dragons.”

Wales outside-half Rhys Priestland has been left out of the Scarlets starting line-up after being named as a replacement with Aled Thomas wearing the number 10 jersey tonight.

Priestland has been joined by Morgan Stoddart who is set to make his first appearance in 14 months following an horrific leg injury suffered for Wales against England in August 2011.

Wales duo George North and Scott Williams return after being rested for the defeat in Treviso last weekend while Grand Slam centre Jonathan Davies is given time off this week.

New South African second row Joe Snyman is also handed his first Scarlets start.